Beck Weekly Update

Parent Info for Friday, August 12, 2022

Beck Centennial Elementary

Beck Centennial Elementary

Beck Centennial Elementary
Beck Family Volunteers (BFV) https://beckfamilyvolunteer.weebly.com/
54600 Hayes Road, Macomb, MI, USA officebeck@uticak12.org 586-797-3900 beck.uticak12.org

Happy Summer!

Hello Beck Families!


I hope all of you are enjoying these last few weeks of summer! Summers in Michigan are wonderful - hopefully you all had a chance to get out and enjoy some of our state's great parks, zoos, sports events, beaches or fairs. I had a busy summer - mostly spent in my gardens, but enjoying other things I love too (family, pups, and travel!). See below for a few pics of my adventures.


Mrs. Polhemus, Mrs. Nowak and I are back at work! That means the Beck Centennial office is open (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Monday - Friday. Please feel free to call or email with any questions. We're here to help!


The start of the school year is exciting, but you may be wondering about things. You may have some questions. I'll try and give you the answers to many common questions in this newsletter!


Here are the answers to many FAQs:


  1. School Calendar 2022-2023, click here: Calendar - Utica Community Schools (uticak12.org)
  2. POWERSCHOOL Changed! - An update has been made to PowerSchool that requires all parents to reset their passwords. It may also require you to delete the mobile app off your phone and re-download it. See instructions below in this newsletter
  3. Breakfast & Lunch for Fall 2022: The federal government will no longer be providing free breakfast and lunch to all students. Starting in the fall of 2022, students will need to purchase a breakfast or lunch (costs to come soon). Families in need can complete a Free/Reduced Lunch application for fall 2022. More information is located under the UCS menu below.
  4. Device Insurance - Available to purchase for $15 per device. Deadline to purchase insurance is Thursday, September 8, 2022! No insurance agreements will be accepted after Sept. 8. Look for more information below on how to purchase the insurance for your child's device.
Mark Your Calendar for the First Days of School!

Mark Your Calendar for the First Days of School!

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 8:40 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Half Day


Wednesday, August 31, 2022 8:40 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 1, 2022 8:40 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.


Friday, Sept. 2 NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

Monday, Sept. 5 NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY HOLIDAY


School resumes Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 with a full day.

Mark Your Calendar for the First Days of School!
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Teacher Placement Notices Will Be Sent Thursday, August 25, 2022

UCS sends out the class placement letters to those parents who have a secure email address in Unified Classroom to access PowerSchool. The letters will go out Thursday, August 25, 2022. If you do not receive an email, please call our school office at 586-797-3900 beginning Friday, August 26.

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Free and Reduced Lunch

Free and Reduced Lunch

The USDA sponsored pandemic-related free school meal program has ended. During the 2022-2023 school year all families will be responsible for the full price of school meals unless they have applied and been approved for free or reduced priced meals. To apply for these accommodations, visit https://utica.familyportal.cloud. Please note that last year’s application will expire on October 13, 2022. Additionally, families may deposit funds on their student’s lunch accounts at the same website.

Free and Reduced Lunch
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Technology Device Insurance Available for 2022-2023

Technology Device Insurance Available for 2022-2023

Device Insurance Plan for Accidental Damage – Annual OPTIONAL COVERAGE


An annual insurance plan has been designed to help families if there is an accident that causes damage to the school issued device. When participating in the district’s insurance plan for $15 per year, any accidental damage reported will be covered as described below.


Insurance coverage will repair/replace the device for accidental damage with no cost incurred by the student for the first incident (claim). Subsequent damage repairs during the covered year will have a deductible assessed per instance. Insurance will cover a maximum of 3 damage occurrences during the covered year. The deductible fee schedule for each damage occurrence is outlined below. Please note, if insurance is not purchased, actual repair costs (not to exceed the cost of the device) will apply.


How to Purchase Device Insurance -- ONLINE:

The initial fee to purchase device insurance ($15 per device) can be paid online using your checking account, debit card or credit card through PaySchools. The link to PaySchools is unique to each individual school within the district. The link can be found on the homepage of the school your student attends, under “Parents” - “My *school name*” I have included the link for you below.


by Cash or Check: You can send cash or check to school with your child. Make sure to seal it in an envelope with your child's full name, teacher's name, and mark it "Device Insurance". Teachers will forward these envelopes to our school office. Please remember, the Sept. 8 deadline. The office cannot accept insurance payments after Sept. 8.


FINAL DATE TO ENROLL FOR TECHNOLOGY INSURANCE (2022-2023)

In order to be considered enrolled in the optional Technology Insurance Program, payments for 2022- 2023 school year must be received no later than Thursday, September 2, 2022.

Technology Device Insurance Available for 2022-2023

Technology Fees

Many of you have asked about Technology Fees:


Here is some info on how technology fees are assessed:


  • Student has an issue with their device (iPads/laptops). If the issue is not able to be resolved with support from the UCS Help Desk, student is provided a replacement device and the non-working/broken device is sent to UCS for assessment and repair
  • A repair ticket is generated for UCS Help Desk to pick up the device and repair. The ticket outlines the reported problem with the device.
  • UCS Technology team picks up the device, takes to the technology office, assesses the issue and what is needed for repair.
  • If there is damage to the device: a report for cost of repair is issued.
  • The fee to repair is sent back to UCS school buildings, entered into Power School and an invoice issued to parents for the repair.
  • Insurance covers many repairs at a free or reduced cost, up to three incidents. After three incidents, full price is assessed.
  • Insurance does not cover lost/stolen devices or charging cables.


Paying a technology fee online: You can pay a technology fee online using the link below for Pay Schools. If you do not already have a Pay Schools account, you will need to create an account. You can use Pay Schools to pay for other UCS related items as well, including Technology Insurance in the fall:


PaySchools - Online Payment Processing

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What did Mrs. Wilson do this summer?

Send me some of your summer pics, too!

UPCOMING EVENTS TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR:

UPCOMING EVENTS TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR:

  • UCS Back to School Night at Jimmy John's Field - August 18, 2022 6:00 p.m., game starts at 7:05 p.m.
  • August 30th, 2022 - First Day of School - Half Day (8:40 - 11:45 a.m.)
  • August 31, September 1 - Full Days of School
  • No School Friday, September 2 - Monday, September 5, for Labor Day Weekend
  • September 6 - School resumes
  • September 14 - No School, Teacher Professional Development Day

UPCOMING EVENTS TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR: